Harvester of Sorrow

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“Harvester of Sorrow”
“Harvester of Sorrow” cover
Single by Metallica
from the album ...And Justice For All
B-side Breadfan
The Prince
Released 1988
Format CD single
Recorded January - May 1988 at "One On One" Studios in Los Angeles, California
Genre Thrash metal
Length 5:42
Label Vertigo Records
Writer(s) James Hetfield
Lars Ulrich
Producer Metallica
Flemming Rasmussen
Metallica singles chronology
"Eye of the Beholder"
(1988)
"Harvester of Sorrow"
(1988)
"...And Justice for All"
(1988)

"Harvester of Sorrow" is the sixth song from the Metallica album ...And Justice for All. Consistent with the whole album, the lyrics are harsh and serious. Various theories regarding the meaning of the lyrics have circulated among Metallica fans.

Metallica debuted this song live prior to the release of ...And Justice for All while on the summer Monsters of Rock Tour in 1988 with Van Halen, The Scorpions, Dokken and Kingdom Come.

The song is a fan favorite and a staple of the Metallica live set. Coming out of the dual melody solo between Hammett and Hetfield, there is a considerable pause which, during live shows, Hetfield takes time to audibly cough and spit before going into the line "All have said their prayers." During live performances there is an extended silence before the band returns to the song.

Marvel Comics paid tribute to the song[citation needed] when they used the name for a fictional superweapon in the comic book event Annihilation.

"Harvester of Sorrow" plays over the PA at U.S. Cellular Field when Chicago White Sox slugger Paul Konerko comes to bat.

[edit] Tracklist

Tracklist to the singles.

CD single:

  1. Harvester Of Sorrow (05:42)
  2. Breadfan (05:44)
  3. The Prince (04:26)

Promotion 7" single: Both sides:

  1. Harvester Of Sorrow (05:42)

12" single: Side A:

  1. Harvester Of Sorrow (05:42)

Side B:

  1. Breadfan (05:44)
  2. The Prince (04:26)

[edit] References